Home insurance in Texas
Wind, hail and flood decide more about a Texas home policy than anything else.
Home insurance in Texas works like it does elsewhere, with a few big differences: coastal homes may need separate wind and hail coverage, flooding is never covered by a standard policy, and Texas law sets firm deadlines for how insurers handle claims.
Coastal homes: wind and hail through TWIA
If you live on the Texas coast or in Harris County near Galveston Bay, your home policy might not cover wind and hail damage. The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) sells wind and hail coverage there through local agents.
TWIA covers the 14 first-tier coastal counties (Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Galveston, Jefferson, Kenedy, Kleberg, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Willacy) and parts of Harris County east of Highway 146. To qualify, you generally need to have been turned down for wind and hail coverage by a company writing it in the area, and your home needs a windstorm certificate (WPI-8) showing it was built to code. Some newer homes in flood zones must also carry flood insurance.
Can't find a policy? The Texas FAIR Plan
The Texas FAIR Plan Association sells basic home insurance to people who can't find a Texas-licensed company to insure them and have been turned down by at least two companies. It's a safety net, usually with narrower coverage.
Flood is separate
Most home policies don't cover flood damage. You can buy flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer. NFIP policies usually take 30 days to start, so don't wait for a storm forecast. Many Texas counties with no coastline have had multiple federal flood disasters; check your county page.
Your rights when you file a claim
The Texas Department of Insurance says your company must:
- Tell you it got your claim within 15 days.
- Accept or deny your claim within 15 business days of getting all the information it needs.
- Send payment within 5 business days after agreeing to pay.
- For TWIA claims: tell you within 60 days whether it will accept or deny.
Cancellation and nonrenewal
A company must give you 10 days' notice before cancelling, and 60 days' notice of a nonrenewal (30 days applied to policies last bought or renewed in 2023 or earlier). In the first 60 days, it can cancel only for specific reasons, such as learning about a risk you didn't disclose.
Wind and hail deductibles
Many Texas policies have a separate deductible for wind and hail, often set as a percentage of your dwelling coverage rather than a flat amount. On a large home, a small percentage can mean thousands of dollars. Check yours before storm season.
Common questions
Usually yes, often with a separate wind and hail deductible. On the coast, wind and hail may be excluded and covered instead through TWIA.
Properties in the 14 first-tier coastal counties and parts of Harris County east of Highway 146 that have been denied wind and hail coverage by an authorized insurer and have a windstorm certificate.
No. You need a separate flood policy from the NFIP or a private insurer.
Want this priced for your part of Texas?
Rates in Texas vary a lot by ZIP code, especially for home and auto. Tell us where you are and what you need, and a licensed insurance professional can show you what’s actually available.
Sources
- Home insurance guide (updated Jun 1, 2026), Texas Department of Insurance. Checked September 30, 2026.
- Coverage and eligibility, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association. Checked September 30, 2026.
- Flood insurance, FloodSmart (National Flood Insurance Program). Checked September 30, 2026.
General information only, not insurance advice. Coverage, availability and terms vary by insurer and are subject to underwriting. Local figures come from public data sources listed on each page. Quote My Policy is operated by an insurance agent licensed in Texas. Nothing here binds coverage.